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25 September 2017

Working a Way out of Poverty

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When women are supported and empowered, the whole of society benefits. Families become healthier, children’s education broadens, agricultural productivity improves and household income increases. In short, communities become more resilient.

At Muslim Hands, we firmly believe that empowering women to be key agents of change is an essential element to achieving an end to hunger and poverty. Through our Women's Economic Empowerment Fund (WEEF Project), funded by your Zakat, we’ve been supporting women to work their way out of poverty and create a happier, more secure future for themselves and their families.

We’ve worked with seven special sisters on their journey to financial success. Take a look at some of the special ladies you’ve been helping out of poverty.

Jamillah Daudi started a tailoring business, focussing predominantly on making boys’ shorts to sell at the local market. Alhamdulillah everything is going according to her business plan. Thanks to her new business, she’s been able to purchase iron sheets to mould bricks as part of the construction for a new sturdier home. Now, Jamillah’s dream for the future is to start a clothing business, sourcing her own materials and selling her clothes to nearby villages. In two years’ time, she also plans to open a tailoring school where she’d liked to share her knowledge and skills in pattern work, sewing, cutting, design, ironing and business to local rural women.

Agness Mwase started her knitting business during winter, meaning she was able to sell lots of jumpers and baby covers in what became an unexpectedly long season. Agnes has made a lot of sales, including stocks of scarves which are being sold to football supporters from different teams. She is running her business at home but is now searching for a good business location in Limbe. Alhamdulillah, within a short period of time she’s managed to purchase iron sheets for her new house and is hoping to build a house before the rainy season arrives.

Mandala Muhammad purchased four bicycles with the help of the WEEF project, opening up a world of possibilities for herself and the community. As most people in Malawi live on less than £1.50 a day, being able to afford to take the bus regularly is impossible, let alone buying a car. For many locals, owning a bicycle is however an excellent solution to such problems as for women in particular, it allows them to run their businesses by giving them the means to buy and transport stock which they can sell within their local communities. What’s more it also enables them to collect water and food for their children and to have greater contact with the world outside. With her new business, Mandala rents her bicycles to boys who give her money at the end of each week. This provides a great service to the community, especially as Mandala has also set aside one bicycle for local villagers to use to reach the nearest hospital which is almost 15km away.

Thanks to the WEEF project, Habib Hussen now runs a series of beauty salons in Kachere. A hard-working lady, she has attracted lots of customers within a short period of time and with the savings that she makes from her business, she now manages to pay her hospital bills. Habib’s health has been a challenge and it were not for the WEEF programme, she may not have made it through the year. Alhamdulillah, the WEEF programme has enabled her to look after her children and cover her hospital expenses.

SubhanAllah, the amazing dedication and work of these ladies is truly inspiring and has all been made possible thanks to your Zakat – thank you!

We are continuing to work alongside all of the businesses in the WEEF project so that they can succeed, and the women will be role models to other women insha’ Allah. Jazkum Allahu khairan for your support.